The Link and I
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 3:47PM 
tumblr screenshots without pausing of Zero Dark Thirty's hallway showdown scene
MNPP on responsibility in film criticism and Michel Gondry's The We And I
Unreality the Han Solo in carbonite business card case. I keep wondering if Patrick Bateman would love this
Pajiba sounds off on the official poster for Mad Men Season 6, which features an illustration of Don Draper looking at... himself? in passing. I cannot cannot wait. You?
Antagony... follows up that best oscar wins list with its evil twin counterpart: worst oscar wins
the greatest sitcom?
I've been really impressed with Vulture's #sitcomsmackdown which has made all sort of insightful points about the state of the situation comedy throughout the past quarter century, even if I wish Vulture had been more clear about how much rewatching they've asked their selected writers to do. Glenn at Stale Popcorn sounds off on the uproar that greeted Sex & The City's win over 30 Rock. But, as Glenn points out, if you read the actual original essay the writer clearly loves both series and makes really salient engaging points about why she chose Sex as the winner. But alas, people don't read. They just choose sides and fight. I'm thankful I don't have to choose the ultimate winner from the past 30 years but many of the shows battling it out for the top slot would make my top 10.
weird coincidence
So this week while instant-watch surfing a few films I'd seen before, which I do on occasion to refresh my memory, I watched a few scenes from both Head On (1998) and from Trainspotting (1996). Both films were critical hits and bold in-your-face indies about hard-living young men. The two films served as major launching pad for two exciting actors (Alex Dimitriades and Ewan McGregor, respectively) though their careers didn't exactly turn out the same. And then yesterday while link surfing, I chance upon a piece about how hard it is for men to turn 40 that featured Alex Dimitriades and the news that Danny Boyle still wants to do a Trainspotting sequel and that, finally, Ewan McGregor may say yes. The article suggests that one hurdle has always been residual director/star strangement dating back to the days when Boyle threw his young start-up muse (Ewan had also been with him for his debut Shallow Grave) overboard for Leonardo DiCaprio on The Beach? I felt like the internet was reading my mind!
Reader Comments (14)
That scene turned me off this performance,totally unrealistic heading into 21 grams Watts territory.
1. Can't wait for Man Men to come back.
2. If this Trainspotting sequel happens, oh I'd be nervous. It's was one of my favorite 50 films ever.
3. This 30 Rock vs Sex and the City thing has been odd. As someone who loves 30 Rock and admires the hell out of a lot of Sex and the City, while also having disdain for other elements (every voice-over, 75% of the puns), I feel in a weird spot. I do think, as objectively speaking as possible, 30 Rock is superior, but there are buttons Sex expertly hits at points that 30 Rock only once in a while even aims for. If drama makes comedy better, which the writer seems to have believed as part of her reasoning for picking Sex, then 30 Rock only worked there in one memorable way for me; Jack's relationship with his mother, particularly that first Christmas episode where she sings. It's one of those weird stances that reminds me of the whole Twilight thing. I understand the detractors and sort of agree with them, but they make it so personal and arrogant it annoys me to the point of near disagreement.
I love both 30 Rock and Sex and the City. I'd be happy and sad with any result between the two. But Friends losing to...anything???
I haven't watched Roseanne but is it that good?
James T - Roseanne can be that good. Like pretty much all of these shows that went over 5 seasons, it has ups and downs, but it's prime was gold and felt daring in a way - emotionally speaking - that most sitcoms don't go for.
That Antagony article is a terrific read. Truly entertaining writing. I especially loved the bit about Life is Beautiful. Ah, what a wretched piece of dreck. I didn't agree with everything...I loved Estelle Parsons in Bonnie and Clyde and Caine in Cider House Rules...but most of it was spot-on.
Love it when you link!
Friends beat The Golden Girls. Payback was due and I am so happy something as smart, honest, and class conscious as Roseanne was the show to do it in the contest.
If the Trainspotting sequel is based on the Trainspotting sequel of the book, I am hoping Boyle takes some liberties.
Cannot wait for Mad Men. I feel like it has gotten taken for granted suddenly. Its decline in Emmys to its shut out for what I thought was its strongest seasons and nobody in the cast ever winning. One thing to prefer Breaking Bad or Justified but the Emmy voters jumping to Homeland is still mystifying and I cannot imagine people thinking that was well-earned after its second season.
And oh my those ZDT stills. For a scene people say was 'too Hollywood' I dare you find an actress who looked as worn out and did not give a flip about it as Jessica Chastain went with her face. She has said that although she likes the scene, she realizes that a.) how exhausted she looks and b.) that she turns into She-Hulk.
Oh, I know which scene you re-watched of Head On, you naughty boy!
Roseanne is absolutely one of the great sitcoms James T.
James T -- what Jessica and Brian Z said. Roseanne was awful just brilliant as sitcoms go. Pity about that final season but 9 years of strong work shouldn't be taken lightly.
my only problem with pre00s sitcoms is the laugh track. I know it's "historically accurate" and all that and some might say it's like colorizing black and white movies but I would pay DOUBLE THE MONEY for complete series sets of the classics WITHOUT a laughtrack. as it is i only ever watch sitcom reruns on accident because i couldn't bear to put anything with a laughtrack in the dvd player and inflict that on myself.
My issue with 3-camera sitcoms that employ laugh track is that they know all of the tricks but really lack the execution. I also think a lot of people who go to single-camera sitcoms have had enough of framing their jokes around the timing and they would prefer for some semblance of realism than stopping everything for people to hear the joke. The way a Cheers, All in the Family, The Golden Girls, and Roseanne are still funny remains funny but that is because they were expertly written, executed, and acted. It seems a lot of the talent in TV sitcoms just do not do 3-camera.
I also really loathe the mockumentary style in TV, to be honest. I hate it as a pretense and a style and only Parks & Rec with its winning cast has me drop those issues.
This set from Vulture doesn't seem to have a major missing hole like their last derby on dramas. I doubt it was going to make it to the final, but are you seriously telling me that the Paul Dini-Bruce Timm Batman animated show ISN'T one of the top sixteen drama shows of 1987-2012?
Seeing that tumblr montage makes me pissed all over again about the Best Actress robbery.